Spending a full day in Tokyo might lead you to wonder how anyone can live here and put up with that hustle and bustle every day. Experiencing Tokyo as a tourist can indeed be exhausting, but when you step away from well-traveled attractions, you might find that Tokyo is a city where a balanced lifestyle is not hard to find, if you know how to do it right. A big part of this is how Tokyo locals enjoy their evenings, finding ways to relax and spend quality time with friends and family. 

In this article, I’m going to introduce 10 ways you can enjoy an evening in Tokyo whether you’re a local, first-time visitor, or repeat Tokyo traveler. These aren't kitschy neon cafe recommendations or viral trends; the beauty of these well-enjoyed traditions lies in their simplicity. Use these activities to deepen your experience of the city and make memories of your time here with the people around you. Read below for my list of things that locals do at night in Tokyo and learn how you can make your own authentic experience here, too.

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Things to Do in Tokyo at Night

1. Walk the backstreets

A lot of people who live in Tokyo use walking not only as exercise, but as a way to wind down and explore the city at the end of the day. There are interesting things about every corner, even more so if you’re outside of the tourist spots. Tokyo also has the advantage of being one of the safest cities in the world, so walks at night are safe and comfortable if you exercise normal caution and common sense.

To find your own fun and unique walking path through the city, set pins randomly on Google Maps and walk point to point. I recommend using convenience stores as your markers, choosing one a few minutes away, walk and repeat. This is a good way to ensure you’ll be in relatively frequented areas, and you can pick up snacks and drinks if you need them. You’ll find tiny shrines and parks (see below) that you’d never find otherwise, and make memories all of your own.

2. Experience a real Japanese izakaya

For me, there’s no better way to spend an evening than in good company at a Tokyo izakaya. There’s no good way to translate the word; “Japanese pub” doesn’t quite cut it. Izakaya are a restaurant, bar, and pub all rolled into one, and they should definitely be a stop on any Tokyo night out. I go into a lot more detail in this post about how to get the full izakaya experience, so make sure to check it out before heading out for a night of great food, booze, and conversations. 

3. Find a quiet spot by the water

Sometimes the simplest evenings are the most memorable. I’ve had some really special nights with friends and family just walking around by the river, talking about everything or talking about nothing at all. Especially for travelers, this can be a really good way to destress and unwind days of packed travel itineraries. 

Grab a drink at the conbini if so inclined, and watch the lights twinkle on the water for a wholesome memory with your travel buddies. For a specific location, I recommend anywhere on the Sumida River near Asakusa. Azumabashi Bridge makes a good reference point, there’s a nice quiet area to sit on the east bank by the dubiously shaped Asahi “beer bubble.” There are lots of nice areas to walk up and down the bank, so explore up and down the bank as the peaceful lapping of the river fills the quiet night air.

4. Relax in the bath at a sento or onsen

The idea of a Japanese onsen might conjure up an image of ethereal hot springs in the midst of a tranquil forest, but these unique relaxation spots can also be found in the concrete jungle of Tokyo as well. Nothing is better after a long day of walking than relaxing in steamy sento baths, feeling the spirit of ‘70s and ‘80s Showa-era Japan under a huge tile mural of Mount Fuji. Onsens are usually larger and more accessible compared to neighborhood sentos. If you’re feeling the exhaustion of a long day in Tokyo, spend the evening in a sento or onsen and rest up for another day of exploring tomorrow. 

5. Sing your heart out at karaoke

A no-brainer. Karaoke is available around the clock in Tokyo, and it’s a great activity for all ages. I come from a country where karaoke usually means drunk people belting incomprehensible lyrics from a dinghy stage - not exactly an attractive spotlight. 

But karaoke in Japan means renting a small, private room for you and your group and going to town on the hits you all used to scream-sing together years ago. There are usually at least two microphones, but the scream-singing means nobody’s solo-ing (unless they want to). You usually have access to a drink bar with soft drinks and ice cream, and there’s a food and alcohol menu if you need it as well. I recommend starting with a couple well-known favorites to get everybody warmed up. 

If you love music and want to party with your group in a more intimate setting, karaoke makes for an unforgettable Tokyo evening. 

6. Find a park (not just the big ones)

Some of Tokyo’s biggest parks like Yoyogi and Shinjuku Gyoen make great spots to walk around, pull up a picnic blanket, and chill in the evenings. But there’s more to Tokyo’s park scene than these famous places you'll find on every listicle on the Internet. 

If you’re going on a walk in the backstreets of Tokyo, I can almost assure you that you’ll stumble upon a tiny plot of land with a swing set and maybe a dimly-lit restroom, a space so small you almost can’t believe it’s a park. These neighborhood parks are where it's at. Sitting on the swings with a friend or a partner will feel like a scene straight out of a high school anime. As you're walking around the backstreets, feel free to stop in these neighborhood parks for a rest and charming memory of local Tokyo.

One humble disclaimer: please remember that these parks are in residential areas where families are enjoying meals, unwinding from a long day at work, and putting children to sleep. Your voice travels farther than you think, and particularly irritable residents may even call the police if they deem you a public nuisance. No matter whether this fair or not, I recommend avoiding any trouble by (1) being very mindful of the noise you’re making and (2) not staying in any one place too long. Sit and enjoy the peacefulness of the park for a bit, then keep exploring. Spending some time in little, unique parks like this makes for great memories of a side of Tokyo unexplored by all but those who live there.

7. Listen to Tokyo tunes live or at a music bar

Tokyo is a music-lover’s town, and live music is available every night of the week. Local indie bands play in areas like Shibuya and Shimokitazawa. There are also a plethora of jazz bars, music bars, and record bars you can find in just about any area - just search Google Maps for your preferences and you’ll likely find some places around your area. 

My friend Josh writes a weekly newsletter about local underground Japanese music. If you're interested in discover music in Tokyo, read my interview with him to learn more about how to find new Japanese artists and experience music in Tokyo. 

8. Visit the touristy spots (without all the tourists)

To be completely honest, this tip is inspired specifically by Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Even if you don’t recognize the name, I am sure you have been here or are planning to go here. Literally everyone and their cousin visits Senso-ji Temple. For good reason! It’s one of the coolest places in Tokyo. 

The popularity of the place means that if you are in any headspace other than “tourist euphoria,” walking anywhere in the temple’s crowded vicinity can be an unpleasant experience. In the summer, the heat makes it downright insufferable. 

But let me tell you - it is a different place at night. You can see the solemn, beautiful red temple illuminated by warm lights, explore quiet shopping streets surrounding the temple, and even find a place to eat and drink at the lively izakaya row called Hoppi-doori. I will always recommend Senso-ji as a great place to visit, and add that you should make sure to see it at night. The vibes are immaculate. 

If you’re looking to visit any other major tourist spots that are open in the evening, consider checking them out after dark.

9. Get some shopping done

I’ve included shopping in the list because honestly, it’s much better to be lugging around bags full of gifts and souvenirs in the evenings when it’s cooler in the summer and the trains are less crowded. While many stores close around 7-8pm, there are many mainstays of Japanese shopping that stay open late. 

Grocery stores are a great option for snacks and ingredients to take home as gifts, and they often stay open till around 10-11pm. I wrote a whole article about why you should visit Japanese grocery stores, along with a list of the most popular chains you’ll find near you.

For other souvenirs, necessities, or literally anything else you could ever want, check out the nearest Don Quijote (Donki), many of which stay open 24/7. Check out this article for the inside scoop on some Donki drama, including how the chain got its distinctive name. 

10. The secret ingredient for a perfect evening

Actually, the most authentic way to experience a Tokyo evening is to put all of these together and just do what feels right in the moment. Maybe you start at an izakaya and get a little tipsy, sit by the river for a bit, and then go sing your heart out at karaoke. Or you grab an early dinner, see a concert of a band you’ve never heard of, then take the train back and soak in the onsen before turning in for the night. There’s no one right answer to the perfect evening in Tokyo - so make it your own. 

These are the kinds of nights you remember, and experiencing them in Tokyo makes it all the more special. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful evening!

Read More from Your Friend in Tokyo

Hi! I'm a Tokyo local, and I started this blog to share helpful tips that only a local would know and tell some stories of the city's authentic culture. I hope you'll take a look around the site, follow us on Instagram, and find something that makes your Tokyo experience even more memorable!